FORMER DUP LEADER Jeffrey Donaldson has been sent forward for trial after a judge said he was satisfied he had a prima facie case to answer over allegations of historical sexual offences.

There was a significant police presence at Newry Magistrates’ Court when the 61-year-old arrived for the preliminary hearing this morning.

Donaldson was arrested and charged in relation to historical sexual allegations at the end of March. 

He had faced 11 holding charges brought by police. However, following a review of an evidence file by the Public Prosecution Service (PPS), the former DUP leader will now face 18 charges.

He is accused of one charge of rape, four of gross indecency and 13 charges of indecent assault. The charges span a time period between 1985 and 2008.

His wife Eleanor Donaldson (58) faces charges of aiding and abetting in connection with the alleged offences. The number of charges she faces has increased from four to five.

At the hearing this morning, Judge Eamonn King said he was “satisfied there is a prime facie case to answer”.

Legal representatives for Donaldson and his wife said there were no “contrary submissions at this stage”.

They will appear at Newry Crown Court on 10 September for an arraignment hearing ahead of their trial.

During the hearing, Donaldson was asked if he wanted to say anything in answer to the charges.

He responded: “Not at this stage.”

Donaldson is the current MP for Lagan Valley, but will not stand for re-election in this Thursday’s UK General Election. 

Contains reporting by Diarmuid Pepper and Press Association